Set of seats and motor vehicle comprising such a set of seats

ABSTRACT

A motor vehicle comprises two front seats aligned in a transverse direction, and at least one rear seat. Said at least one rear seat comprises a seating portion with a seating portion frame, a backrest with a backrest frame. The backrest frame is pivotable relative to the seating portion frame about a first transverse axis, between at least one deployed position for receiving an occupant of the seat and a folded position in which the backrest frame is folded down to face the seating portion frame. Said at least one rear seat is adapted to have a configuration in which said at least one rear seat is in said folded position and the backrest of said at least one rear seat extends at least partly between the two front seats.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to French Patent Application No. FR 1859138, filed Oct. 2, 2018, which is expressly incorporated by referenceherein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle, and particularly to a motorvehicle. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to seatincluded in the motor vehicle.

SUMMARY

According to the present disclosure, a motor vehicle provides increasedcomfort to the occupants of front seats of the motor vehicle.

In illustrative embodiments, a motor vehicle comprises a chassisdefining a passenger compartment with a floor, two front seats alignedin a transverse direction in the passenger compartment and fixed to thefloor, and at least one rear seat fixed to the floor, said at least onerear seat comprising a seating portion with a seating portion frame, abackrest with a backrest frame, the backrest frame being mounted so asto pivot relative to the seating portion frame about a first transverseaxis, between at least one deployed position for receiving an occupantof the seat and a folded position in which the backrest frame is foldeddown to face the seating portion frame, vehicle wherein said at leastone rear seat is adapted to have a configuration in which said at leastone rear seat is in said folded position and the backrest of said atleast one rear seat extends at least partly between the two front seats.

In illustrative embodiments, the backrest of the at least one rear seatcan thus be used as a console or a table, by the occupants of one ormore front seat(s). This use may take place in particular when the motorvehicle is stopped, or during autonomous operation of the motor vehiclein the case where the motor vehicle is an autonomous vehicle.

In illustrative embodiments, the motor vehicle has one or more of thefollowing features, alone or in combination:

said at least one rear seat can only be placed in said configurationwhen the two front seats are oriented in converging directions;

the two front seats are pivoted about respective substantially verticalaxes to enable at least partial passage of said at least one rear seatbetween the two front seats;

said at least one rear seat and/or the two front seats is/are fixed tothe floor via a slide mechanism;

said at least one rear seat comprises, on each side of said at least onerear seat, a first and a second connecting rods intended to be fixed ona support of the seat so as to be pivotable about a respectivetransverse axis in order to raise the backrest frame relative to saidsupport of the seat.

In illustrative embodiments, said at least one rear seat comprises aflange on each side, and a device for tilting the backrest framerelative to the flanges, the tilting device preferably beingdiscontinuous;

on each side of said at least one rear seat, the first and secondconnecting rods are fixed to the flange so as to be pivotable about arespective transverse axis;

the seating portion frame of said at least one rear seat is fixed to athird connecting rod so as to be pivotable about a transverse axis, thethird connecting rod further being intended to be fixed on a support ofthe seat so as to be pivotable about a transverse axis;

said at least one rear seat comprises a latch, preferably fixed to theflange where appropriate, adapted to lock the position of the flangerelative to a support of the seat;

the motor vehicle comprises an actuator for adjusting the angularposition of the backrest frame relative to the flanges and/or anactuator for adjusting the angular position of the first and secondconnecting rods relative to a support of the seat;

the motor vehicle comprises a support of said at least one rear seat,support to which are fixed the first, second, and third connecting rods,where appropriate, so as to be pivotable about a respective transverseaxis, the support of the seat being or preferably comprising a rail of aslide mechanism fixed to the floor of the motor vehicle;

the motor vehicle further comprises at least two other rear seats, theat least two other rear seats being arranged one on each side of said atleast one rear seat;

said at least one rear seat comprises a retractable tray device, theretractable tray device comprising a frame structure, at least one tray,an electric motor fixed to the frame structure, a worm screw rotated bythe electric motor, and a slider mounted on the worm screw, the sliderbeing integral with the tray so that the rotation of the worm screwcauses displacement in translation of the slider along the worm screw,and consequently of the tray relative to the frame structure,substantially within the plane of the tray, the frame structure of theretractable tray device being fixed on the backrest or being formed bythe backrest;

the frame structure defines a rectilinear slot for guiding the slider intranslation;

the frame structure has a slot for guiding a pin integral with the tray,along a curved path;

the retractable tray device further comprises a shell, preferablysubstantially planar, the tray being interposed between the framestructure and the shell;

the retractable tray device comprises a second tray, the two trayspreferably being symmetrical with respect to a plane normal to a planeof extension of the two trays, the retractable tray device even morepreferably comprising a second motor, a second worm screw, a secondslider, and where appropriate a second pin integral with the secondtray, where appropriate the frame structure defining a secondrectilinear slot and/or a second curved slot;

the tray(s) is/are adapted to be deployed in front of the front seats;and

said at least one rear seat further comprises a headrest, fixed to thebackrest frame, the headrest preferably being movable relative to thebackrest frame.

In illustrative embodiments, a set of seats for a motor vehicle, fixedon a floor, comprising two front seats aligned in a transverse directionand fixed to the floor and at least one rear seat fixed to the floor,said at least one rear seat comprising a seating portion with a seatingportion frame, a backrest with a backrest frame, the backrest framebeing mounted so as to pivot relative to the seating portion frame abouta first transverse axis, between at least one deployed position forreceiving an occupant of the seat and a folded position in which thebackrest frame is folded down to face the seating portion frame, whereinsaid at least one rear seat is adapted to have a configuration in whichsaid at least one rear seat is in said folded position and the backrestof said at least one rear seat extends at least partly between the twofront seats.

In illustrative embodiments, the set of seats may have the same featuresrecited above regarding a motor vehicle, alone or in combination.

In illustrative embodiments, a motor vehicle is further described, whichcomprises a chassis defining a passenger compartment with a floor, and aset of seats as disclosed above in any of its combinations, wherein thefloor of the set of seats consists in the floor of the passengercompartment.

Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon consideration of illustrative embodimentsexemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presentlyperceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figuresin which:

FIG. 1 schematically represents a side view of a vehicle seat assemblyin a first position called the deployed position;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the seat assembly of FIG. 1 in a secondposition called the storage position;

FIG. 3 represents a side view of the seat assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2, ina third position called the console position;

FIG. 4 represents a perspective view of the seat of FIGS. 1 to 3 in aposition similar to that of FIG. 3, with the trays deployed;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the retractable tray device of the seatof FIGS. 1 to 4;

FIG. 6 is a view of the face of the retractable tray device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view of the face retractable tray device of FIG. 5 that isopposite to the face shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view of the face of a support part (or frame structure) ofthe retractable tray device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 schematically represents a perspective view of an arrangement offive seats of a motor vehicle, in a deployed position, the central rearseat being a seat as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4;

FIG. 10 schematically represents a perspective view of the arrangementof FIG. 9, where the two front seats have been rotated relative to arespective substantially vertical axis;

FIG. 11 schematically represents a perspective view of the arrangementof FIG. 10, where the central rear seat has been folded into its consoleposition and advanced relative to the other rear seats, so that thebackrest of the central rear seat is located between the two frontseats; and

FIG. 12 schematically represents a perspective view of the arrangementof FIG. 10, where the trays in the backrest of the central rear seathave been deployed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the different figures, the same references designate identical orsimilar elements. For brevity, only the elements that are useful tounderstanding the embodiment described are represented in the figuresand are described in detail below.

In the description which follows, when reference is made to absoluteposition qualifiers such as the terms front, rear, top, bottom, left,right, etc., or relative qualifiers such as the terms above, below,upper, lower, etc., or to orientation qualifiers such as horizontal,vertical, etc., unless otherwise specified these are in reference to theorientation of the figures or of a seat in its normal position of use.

FIG. 1 schematically represents a motor vehicle seat assembly 10comprising a motor vehicle seat 12 mounted on a slide mechanism 13 forattaching the vehicle seat device 12 to the floor 11 of a motor vehicle.The floor 11 is for example formed by the chassis of the motor vehicle.Here, the motor vehicle seat 12 is a rear seat.

In the following, the longitudinal direction X extends in thelongitudinal direction of the seat 12. The longitudinal direction of theseat 12 is considered to be the same as the longitudinal direction ofthe motor vehicle in which the seat 12 is mounted. This longitudinaldirection X corresponds to the normal direction of travel of thevehicle. The transverse direction Y is the transverse direction of theseat 12. The transverse direction of the seat 12 thus corresponds to thetransverse or lateral direction of the motor vehicle. This transversedirection corresponds to a direction perpendicular to the normaldirection of travel of the vehicle. Finally, the vertical direction Z isa vertical direction of the seat 12, perpendicular to the longitudinaland transverse directions.

The seat 12 comprises a seating portion 14 with a seating portion frame15, and a backrest 16 with a backrest frame 17. The backrest frame 17 ismounted so as to pivot relative to the seating portion frame 15 about afirst transverse axis A1, parallel to direction Y.

In the following, one side of the motor vehicle seat 12 is described, itbeing understood that the two sides of the seat 12 are substantiallyidentical.

The backrest frame 17 is also mounted so as to pivot about a secondtransverse axis A2 relative to a flange 18. In this case, a hingemechanism 20 is interposed between the flange 18 and the backrest frame17. The hinge mechanism 20 is for example a discontinuous mechanism, inother words it is adapted to adjust the angular position of the backrestframe 17 relative to the flange 18 into a finite number of discretepositions. The hinge mechanism 20 may advantageously have a disengagedmode for folding down the backrest frame 17, for example into theposition shown in FIG. 2, as opposed to the engaged mode in which thehinge mechanism allows adjusting the tilt of the backrest frame 17.Preferably, the hinge mechanism 20 is electrically controlled. Thus, theadjustment of the tilt of the backrest frame 17 is achieved by means ofcontrol buttons of the hinge mechanism 20. To do this, the hingemechanism 20 may for example comprise a drive motor. The drive motor canthen be controlled by means of the control buttons. Alternatively, thehinge mechanism 20 may in particular be a hook-cable type of system,comprising a cam and having an angular adjustment range in which thehinge mechanism is not locked (disengaged position), and anotheradjustment range, distinct from the first, in which the hinge mechanismcan be locked (engaged position). For example, the hinge mechanism isunlocked in order to adjust its angular position, the adjustment beingmade while keeping the hinge mechanism unlocked. Once a satisfactoryangular position is reached, the hinge mechanism 20 is locked onceagain.

In the illustrated example, the flange 18 is connected to a support 21of the seat, by means of first and second connecting rods 22, 24. Eachconnecting rod 22, 24 is mounted on the flange 18 near a first end so asto pivot about a respective third and fourth transverse axis A3, A4.Each rod 22, 24 is also mounted, near its second end, on the support 21,so as to pivot about a respective fifth and sixth transverse axis A5,A6.

An actuator may advantageously be provided for adjusting the angularposition of the connecting rods 22, 24 relative to the support 21 of theseat. For example, an actuating cylinder, in particular an electriccylinder, may be provided between the support 21 of the seat and one ofthe connecting rods 22, 24. In this case, the cylinder is advantageouslymounted to rotate freely about transverse axes at each of its ends, withrespect to the support 21 and with respect to the connecting rod 22, 24.

Here, a third connecting rod 26 connects the seating portion frame 15and the support 21. This third connecting rod 26 is mounted to rotatefreely about a seventh transverse axis A7 with respect to the seatingportion frame 15, near a first end. Near its second end, here the thirdconnecting rod 26 is mounted to rotate freely with respect to thesupport 21, about an eighth transverse axis A8.

Furthermore, the seat 12 comprises a headrest 28 with a headrest frame30. The headrest frame 30 is mounted on the backrest frame 17. Forexample, the headrest frame 30 can be moved relative to the backrestframe 17, in particular in translation, to adjust the height of theheadrest 28.

Finally, in the example illustrated, the support 21 of the seat forms arail of the slide mechanism 13, in this case the movable rail, thesupport 21 being received in a rail 32 of the slide mechanism 13, inthis case the fixed rail fixed to the floor 11. The slide mechanism 13thus allows adjusting the longitudinal position of the seat 12 in thevehicle.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the seat assembly 10 just described cantake three distinct positions in particular, corresponding to threedifferent uses.

In a first position illustrated in FIG. 1, called the deployed position,the seat 12 is in a position to receive an occupant of the seat 12. Inthis position, the backrest frame 17 and the seating portion frame 15form an angle substantially equal to 90° or even greater than 90°. Forexample, the angle between the backrest frame 17 and the seating portionframe 15 is greater than or equal to 80°, preferably greater than orequal to 85° and/or less than or equal to 120°, preferably less than orequal to 115°.

In this deployed position, the first and second connecting rods 22, 24are in a low position. The first and second connecting rods 22, 24 canthen form a substantially zero angle, for example less than 5°, with thesupport 21 of the seat 12.

In contrast, the third connecting rod 26 is in a raised position, theangle between the third connecting rod 26 and the support 21 of the seathere being substantially equal to 90°. For example, the angle betweenthe third connecting rod 26 and the support 21 of the seat is greaterthan or equal to 60°, preferably greater than or equal to 70° and/orless than or equal to 130°, preferably less than or equal to 110°. Thus,the seating portion frame 15 is in a high position, in other words at adistance from the support 21 of the seat. Most importantly, the seatingportion frame 15 is then at a distance from the floor 11 of the motorvehicle such that the seat 10 is in a position allowing an occupant tosit on it comfortably.

This position is maintained for example by locking the actuator foradjusting the angular position of the first and second connecting rods22, 24, in its corresponding position (in particular in itscorresponding length).

Additionally or alternatively, this deployed position is maintained bylocking the position of the flange 18 on the support 21, the rail 32 ofthe slide mechanism 13, or the floor 11 of the motor vehicle, by meansof a latch 33. The latch 33 may also engage with a bar integral with thesupport 21, the rail 32, or the floor 11.

In this position, the tilt of the backrest frame 15 can be adjusted bymeans of the hinge mechanism 20. There are thus numerous deployedpositions.

In addition, for safety purposes, the angular position of the thirdconnecting rod 26 can be locked in its corresponding angular position,by means of any locking device accessible to those skilled in the art.In particular, a locking catch may be provided.

The hinge 20 can be locked in the position of FIG. 1. In this deployedposition of FIG. 1, the back of the backrest frame 17 can extend in adirection B.

FIG. 2 illustrates a storage position of the seat 12.

In this storage position, aimed at increasing the space in the trunk forexample, the position of the first and second connecting rods 22, 24 isunchanged. However, the angular position of the backrest frame 17 hasbeen modified, so that the backrest frame 17 is folded down, in thecurrent case into a substantially horizontal position, and is placedfacing the seating portion frame 15. In order to reach this position ofthe backrest frame 17, for example the hinge mechanism 20 has beenplaced in the disengaged position and the backrest frame 17 has beenfolded down. Thus, in a preferred manner, the hinge mechanism 20 ispreferably free to move so that the backrest 16 is in principle movablerelative to the seat 14.

In the example illustrated, the back of the backrest frame 17 extends ina direction B1 forming with the axis B, corresponding to the deployedposition, an angle β1 comprised for example between 100 and 105°,advantageously between 101 and 104°.

The folding down of the backrest frame 17 is accompanied by adisplacement of the seating portion frame 15 and of the third connectingrod 26. In the storage position, in fact, the third connecting rod 26 ismore inclined relative to the support 21 than in the deployed position.In other words, the angle between the third connecting rod 26 and thesupport 21 is greater in the storage position than in the deployedposition. This brings the seating portion frame 15 closer to the support21 and/or to the floor 11. It is then possible to maintain the positionof the seat by locking the angular position of the third connecting rod26 relative to the support 21. Here again, any suitable locking systemmay be implemented, in particular a locking catch.

In this storage position, the latch 33 is preferably always in itsposition that locks the flange 18 with respect to the support 21.

Finally, in the console position, illustrated in FIG. 3, the first andsecond connecting rods 22, 24 are pivoted with respect to theirpositions corresponding to the deployed and storage positions of theseat, previously described, in order to raise the flange 18 relative tothe support 21 of the seat and therefore to the floor 11. To do this,the first and second connecting rods 22, 24, the support 21, and theflange 18 may for example substantially form a deformable parallelogram.The raising of the flange 18 relative to the support 21 is thuscontrolled by the actuator for adjusting the angular position of thefirst and second connecting rods 22, 24. In this console position, thebackrest frame 17 is still substantially facing the seating portionframe 15.

To transition to the console position, the latch 33 is unlockedbeforehand.

To maintain the position of the backrest frame 17, the hinge mechanism20 is in a position of locking the angle of the backrest frame 17relative to the flange 18. For example, this position of the backrestframe 17 corresponds to the one in which the back of the backrest frame17 is substantially horizontal. Substantially horizontal is understoodhere to mean forming an angle of plus or minus 10° relative to thehorizontal direction. In this position, the backrest frame 17 can thusadvantageously be used as a console, table, or armrest, for occupants ofvehicle seats adjacent to the seat 12.

In this console position, the angular position of the third connectingrod 26 relative to the support 21 can also be locked. Any suitabledevice for locking the angular position of the third connecting rod 26relative to the support 21 may be used. In particular, a locking catchmay be used.

In the position illustrated in FIG. 3 by way of example, the anglebetween the direction B2 of the back of the backrest frame 17, and thedirection B of this same back of the backrest frame 17 in the deployedposition, forms an angle β2 which may for example be greater than orequal to 100°, preferably greater than or equal to 107° and/or less thanor equal to 115°, preferably less than or equal to 110°. The angle β2here is substantially equal to 108°, more precisely equal to 108.75°.

In addition, as is more particularly visible in FIG. 4, the seat 12 isprovided, on its backrest 16, with a retractable tray device 34 in whichthe trays 42 are deployed in FIG. 4.

This retractable tray device 34 is described in more detail below, withreference to FIGS. 5 to 8.

The retractable tray device 34 firstly comprises a frame structure 36,fixed with respect to the backrest 16 of the seat 12. According to avariant that is not illustrated, the frame structure 36 is formed by thebackrest frame 17. The frame structure 36 is illustrated in particularin FIG. 8, where one can see that the frame structure 36 issubstantially T-shaped. The frame structure 36 is substantially planar.The frame structure 36 has a first pair of rectilinear slots 38 a, 38 bextending for substantially the entire length of the frame structure 36.The frame structure 36 also has a second pair of curved slots 40 a, 40b. Slots 40 a, 40 b comprise a first portion, near the rectilinear slots38 a, 38 b, which extends substantially parallel to slots 38 a, 38 b,and a second portion which progressively moves away from the rectilinearslots 38 a, 38 b towards the exterior of the frame 36. Slots 40 a, 40 bthus extend from a first end near which they are substantially parallel,to a second end near which they diverge.

The retractable tray device 34 further comprises two retractable trays42. Here these retractable trays 42 have a substantially rectangularshape with rounded corners. Each tray 42 further comprises twothrough-openings 44, 46: a first opening 44 is arranged near one cornerof the tray 42, and a second opening 46 is arranged at a distance fromthe corner where the first opening 44 is made, and preferably at adistance from the edge 47 of the tray 44 that is greater than thedistance between the first opening 44 and the edge 47 of the tray 42.

The retractable tray device 34 further comprises a control device 48 forcontrolling the retraction and deployment of each tray 42 independentlyof one another. Here the control device 48 is electric. The controldevice 48 is particularly visible in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The portion of the control device 48 that enables the deployment orretraction of a tray 42 is described below. To control the deployment orretraction of the two trays 42 independently of one another, the controldevice 48 may thus comprise the means described below but in duplicate,as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 in particular.

The control device 48 first comprises an electric motor 50, for examplefixed to the frame structure 36. This electric motor 50 rotates a wormscrew 52, in this case via a reduction device 54. The worm screw 52 isarranged facing one of the two rectilinear slots 38 a, 38 b of the framestructure 36.

A slider 56 is fixed on the worm screw 52 such that the rotation of theworm screw 52 causes translation of the slider 56 relative to the wormscrew. For example, the slider 56 comprises a housing for receiving anut mounted on the worm screw 52. The slider 56 may for example beprevented from pivoting about the axis of rotation of the worm screw 52by being received in one of the rectilinear slots 38 a, 38 b. In thiscase, the edges of the rectilinear slot 38 a, 38 b block the rotation ofthe slider 56, which then moves in translation in the rectilinear slot38 a, 38 b which receives it. The slider 56 is thus guided intranslation by the rectilinear slot 38 a, 38 b.

The slider 56 is also received in the first opening 44 of one of the twotrays 42. The tray 42 is free to rotate with respect to the slider 56,within the plane of the tray 42.

Finally, a pin 58 is fixed to the tray 42, able to rotate freelyrelative to the tray 42. The pin 58 is also received in a slot 40 a, 40b, the pin 58 being able to pivot in the slot 40 a, 40 b.

According to the illustrated example, the retractable tray device 34further comprises a shell 60. The function of the shell 60 isessentially aesthetic. This shell 60 may be substantially flat to allowusing the backrest 16 of the seat 12 as a table. The trays 42 preferablyextend between the frame structure 36 and the shell 60.

The operation of the retractable tray device 34 is described below. Theelectric motor 50 causes rotation of the worm screw 52. This rotation ofthe worm screw 52 causes the slider 56 to move in translation along theworm screw 52. The translation of the slider 56 induces movement of thecorner of the tray 42 that has the first opening 44 in proximity. Thedistance between the two openings 44, 46 in the tray 42 being fixed, themovement of the corner of the tray 42 also causes displacement of thetray 42 comprising a translation along the worm screw 52 and a rotationaround the first opening 44. The shape of the slot 40 a, 40 b thenserves to guide the tray between an extended position, visible in FIG.4, and a retracted position corresponding to FIGS. 1 to 3. It should benoted here that the displacement of the trays 42 occurs substantiallywithin the plane of these trays 42. To achieve this, the trays 42 can beguided in their movements between the frame structure 36 and the shell60. The retractable tray device 34 is thus particularly compact. Theretractable tray device 34 may in particular be wholly or partlyreceived between two uprights of the backrest frame 17.

FIGS. 9 to 12 illustrate an exemplary implementation of the seatassembly 10 of FIGS. 1 to 4.

FIG. 9 thus schematically illustrates a motor vehicle 100 comprising twofront seats 102, 104 aligned in a transverse direction, and three rearseats 12, 106, 108, whose central seat is a seat 12 of a seat assembly10 as described above. The rear seats 12, 106, 108 are offset in thelongitudinal direction X relative to the front seats 102, 104.

According to the illustrated example, the trays 42 of seat 12 can beused by the occupants of the front seats 102, 104. To do this, asillustrated in FIG. 10, the front seats 102, 104 are rotated about arespective substantially vertical axis A102, A104, so that the two frontseats 102, 104 are oriented in convergent directions, preferably withoutfacing each other, as illustrated in FIG. 10. This frees space betweenthe two front seats 102, 104, this space allowing the passage of thecentral rear seat 12 between the two front seats 102, 104, or at leastof the backrest 16 of said central rear seat 12. The central rear seat12 is then in a position where the backrest is folded down, inparticular into the console position of seat 12. Where appropriate, thelongitudinal position of the central rear seat 12 relative to the frontseats 102, 104 can be adjusted by translation of at least one among thefront seats 102, 104 and said central rear seat 12.

In addition, the front seats 102, 104 may be in a position in whichtheir backrest is tilted relative to their seating portion, for exampleby an angle greater than the tilt angle of the backrest in a drivingposition, this greater angle corresponding to a resting position of theoccupants of the front seats 102, 104.

The backrest 16 of the central rear seat 12 can then be used as a tableby the occupants of the front seats 102, 104.

Here, in addition, as the central rear seat 12 is provided with aretractable tray device 34, the trays 42 can then be deployed asillustrated in FIG. 12. The trays 42 are then deployed in front of thefront seats 102, 104. The trays 42 are then usable by the occupants ofthe front seats 102, 104.

Alternatively, however, the trays of the central rear seat 12 may beused by the occupants of the rear seats 104, 106. To do this, forexample, the central rear seat 12 is not moved longitudinally towardsthe front seats 102, 104. In this case, the backrest 16 of the centralrear seat 12 may extend fully or partly behind the front seats 102, 104.

In particular, the seat support can take many forms. Thus, according toone particular example, the seat support is formed by the floor of thepassenger compartment of the motor vehicle equipped with the seat.

There are seats that are foldable so that the backrest can be used as anarmrest or as a table by occupants of neighboring seats. Such seats areused are rear seats of a motor vehicle.

Vehicle seats may also have a retractable tray in the backrest, theretractable tray being intended to be deployed when the seat is in aposition such that the seat backrest is substantially horizontal, facingthe seating portion of the seat. In this case, deployment of the tray ismanual. Reference is hereby made to European Application No. EP0949116A,disclosure relating to use vehicle seats, which application is herebyincorporated in its entirety herein. Front seats of a motor vehicle maybe equipped with an armrest, in particular on the side of the seatopposite the door enabling access to the seat.

1. A set of seats for a motor vehicle, fixed on a floor, the set ofseats comprising two front seats aligned in a transverse direction andfixed to the floor, and at least one rear seat fixed to the floor, saidat least one rear seat comprising a seating portion with a seatingportion frame, a backrest with a backrest frame, the backrest framebeing mounted so as to pivot relative to the seating portion frame abouta first transverse axis, between at least one deployed position forreceiving an occupant of the seat and a folded position in which thebackrest frame is folded down to face the seating portion frame, whereinsaid at least one rear seat is adapted to have a configuration in whichsaid at least one rear seat is in said folded position and the backrestof said at least one rear seat extends at least partly between the twofront seats.
 2. The set of seats of claim 1, wherein said at least onerear seat can only be placed in said configuration when the two frontseats are oriented in converging directions.
 3. The set of seats ofclaim 2, wherein the two front seats are pivoted about respectivesubstantially vertical axes to enable the at least partial passage ofsaid at least one rear seat between the two front seats.
 4. The set ofseats of claim 1, wherein said at least one rear seat is fixed to thefloor via a slide mechanism.
 5. The set of seats of claim 1, whereinsaid at least one rear seat comprises, on each side of said at least onerear seat, a first and a second connecting rods intended to be fixed ona support of the seat so as to be pivotable about a respectivetransverse axis in order to raise the backrest frame relative to saidsupport of the seat.
 6. The set of seats of claim 1, wherein said atleast one rear seat comprises a flange on each side, and a device fortilting the backrest frame relative to the flanges.
 7. The set of seatsof claim 6, wherein said at least one rear seat comprises a latch,adapted to lock the position of the flange relative to a support of theseat.
 8. The set of seats of claim 5, wherein said at least one rearseat comprises a flange on each side, and a device for tilting thebackrest frame relative to the flanges, and wherein on each side of saidat least one rear seat, the first and second connecting rods are fixedto the flange so as to be pivotable about a respective transverse axis.9. The set of seats of claim 5, wherein said at least one rear seatcomprises a flange on each side, and a device for tilting the backrestframe relative to the flanges, said set of seats further comprising anactuator for adjusting the angular position of the backrest framerelative to the flanges and/or an actuator for adjusting the angularposition of the first and second connecting rods relative to a supportof the seat.
 10. The set of seats of claim 1, wherein the seatingportion frame of said at least one rear seat is fixed to a thirdconnecting rod so as to be pivotable about a transverse axis, the thirdconnecting rod being intended to be fixed on a support of the seat so asto be pivotable about a transverse axis.
 11. The set of seats of claim1, comprising a support of said at least one rear seat, support to whichare fixed the first and second connecting rods, so as to be pivotableabout a respective transverse axis.
 12. The set of seats of claim 11,wherein the support of the seat comprises a rail of a slide mechanismfixed to the floor.
 13. The set of seats of claim 1, further comprisingat least two other rear seats, the at least two other rear seats beingarranged one on each side of said at least one rear seat.
 14. The set ofseats of claim 1, wherein said at least one rear seat comprises aretractable tray device, the retractable tray device comprising a framestructure, at least one tray, an electric motor fixed to the framestructure, a worm screw rotated by the electric motor, and a slidermounted on the worm screw, the slider being integral with the tray sothat the rotation of the worm screw causes displacement in translationof the slider along the worm screw, and consequently of the trayrelative to the frame structure, substantially within the plane of thetray, the frame structure of the retractable tray device being fixed onthe backrest or being formed by the backrest.
 15. The set of seats ofclaim 14, wherein the frame structure defines a rectilinear slot forguiding the slider in translation.
 16. The set of seats of claim 14,wherein the frame structure has a slot for guiding a pin integral withthe tray, along a curved path.
 17. The set of seats of claim 14, whereinthe retractable tray device further comprises a shell, preferablysubstantially planar, the tray being interposed between the framestructure and the shell.
 18. The set of seats of claim 14, wherein theretractable tray device comprises a second tray.
 19. The set of seats ofclaim 14, wherein the tray is adapted to be deployed in front of thefront seats.
 20. A motor vehicle comprising a chassis defining apassenger compartment with a floor, and the set of seats of claim 1,wherein the floor of the set of seats consists in the floor of thepassenger compartment.